GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XXII, 30 May 1903, Page 1501

GOLF NOTES.

(By

Stoney Dead.)

After the excitement of the gala time of a totirnaineut there is naturally a bit of a lull in golfing interests. The only ladies’ competition fixed for last week was the medal. The coinpe tition should hate taken place on Thursday, but owing to the threatening aspect of the weather, and a certain amount of want of interest, only one competitor started. Perhaps competitor is a wrong term, for before there can be a match there must be two competitors. and for a competition more than that number. However, the ladies have a very sensible rule, that four players must start to make a competition. In consequence of this rule the medal will be played for again. I remember an amusing incident in regard to- golf returns in medal competitions. At a seaside course in England there was, and I trust is still, a hale old doctor, well over 70 years of age. He never missed playing for any competition whatever the state of the weather, apd no matter /how many patients he left to their own resources. But the dear old chap never could win anything —his scores were never good enough — till one day virtue was rewarded. On a really bad English winter's day the doctor returned the winning score. Only a small field started, and the septuagenarian was the only one to return a score, and it read something like this —-184—-30: 154. The lady who won last Thursday* is in the same position as the schoolboy who told his mother lie was first in his class, and the mother found on enquiry that the class consisted of one boy—her son.

Next rhyr-day the Nursery Bogey competition" fixed to take place. The winner of this competition is the lady who returns the best five scores out of eight times playing. Thursday will make the sixth time. At present Miss Buckland is leading, and will probably win the competition. A prize has been presented by Mrs Aicken Carriek for competition among the ladies by matchplay tournameiri. It is to be on handicap. and should produce some interesting and exciting matches. The entries close for this match on Thursday, the 28th of May, and the only other condition made at present is that the first round must be finished before Friday, June 5 th- P.0.P.. which has nothing to do with photography, but stands for “Pay or play."’ or. rather, in golfing parlance. ••scratch or play.”

Our promising players must keep in mind the Ladies’ New Zealand Championship. wliich takes place at Wellington from'Monday, the 24th. to Saturday. the 29th of August, 1903. I understand that there are about six ladies who have a present intention bf attending and competing. It is almost a duty on the part t>f the three cracks, Miss Lewis. Miss Gillies and Mrs Bloomfield to attend, if they can possibly manage it. If these three attend. I have great hopes that the championship •nil! be brought bock to Auckland by one of the three. But for those who are not quite in the front rank there can be no jollier change and holiday than attending the championship. Let them go in for everything, not even texcltfiling the championship, and have a real good go at winning even the big event. When beaten it is no disgrace, and whatever tiie result may be, playing in a championship, with a gallery following and'watching.’ will not only improve one’s game, but also will increase one’s, experience and develop the best qiiality of all —that is, nerve. I have the programme of the meeting in front of me, and notice that there are several competitions besides the championship. There is a medal handicap of

18 holes, for which the winner and second will receive trophies. There i* an inter-club competition, open to every recognised club in New Zealand which enters a team of four players. It is a medal score. I presume, of 18 holes, but not so stated in the “correct card.’’ and the team returning the lowest aggregate will be declared the winners. There is a provision by which a club may enter more than one team. I should like to see two teams from Auckland. There is a bogey competition, with prizes to first and second. Driving, putting and approaching competitions will be arranged if time permits. The qualification for the championship is tJiat 'fompetitors must have resided for three months in New Zealand, and must b-i members of some recognised New Zealand Ladies* Golf Club. The W.L.4LC. Committee will fix the handicaps, but they will be advised by the officials of other_(dubs attending the meeting. The handicaps will be arranged from scratch to 18. and in the bogey competition the handicap is limited to a stroke* a hole. Attention may be paid to the mode of-en-tering. Entries for all events will may be received through club secretaries, who must also furnish each competitors club handicap, and pay entrance fees at time of entering. Kntries must be sent in by .Saturday, the loth of August, to Miss Brandon, 5, Hobsonstreet. Wellington.

The alterations in the ladies* rooms at One-Tree Hill have now been completed. and give universal satisfaction. The club-room is now much larger, and is a very nice room. The dressingrooms give ample room for all.

I understand that Hood's younger brother is to arrive this week. He will relieve Hood from his shop work, so that the professional will be able to give up all his time to coaching and playing. I am told the younger Hood ‘ is also a first-class performer with the little bit of gutt*.

The George Cop competition was played to a final on Saturday afternoon at the Cornwall golf links, being won by Mr J, C. Burns with a total net score of 175. Dr. Coates being runner-up with 178. The course wr.s rather soft, but was fairly '.playable, the scoring not reaching expectations. Appended are the scores:—

The senior match for Mr A. Hanna's prize f<>r players who have a handicap less than 12 will be begun on or before Saturday. 6th June, and the first round will be played as follows: —C. Gillies plays J. It. Hooper, J. R. Sykes plays 11. T. Gillies, J. Burns plays W. B. Colbeck. A. Peel a bye. This match will be play<ml over the usual 18 holes. The junior match (also Mr Hanna’s prize), played under ihe same conditions, with the exception that it is for players whose handicap is 12 nr over, will be* played thus: —E. Bb omfield v. E. Horton, C. Nathan v. A. Walker. E. O'Rorke v. R. Horton, J. S. Rutherford v. C. R. Pollen. D. McCormick ’.. H. Horton, Dr. Lewis v. E. Turner, M. A. Clark ▼ P. Upton. Rhodes a bye, E. W. Paten v. J. V*. Hall. L. Mair v. Rev. Tisdall, W E. Bruce v. A. 15. Robert on. Dr. Gortlon v. C. Heather, W. W. Bruce v. 11. GihUlnn. juii/.W. Heather v. Dr. Coates, E. Anderson v..J It. Recd. Rev. McWilliam a bye.

1st Round. 2nd Round. Net Score, lien. Net' Tl. J. < . Burns ... . 91 95 11 X4175 Dr. Coates .... . 88 102 32 90. K8 J. R. Hooper . 87 92 jser y> 179 J W. Hall . m 103 ■ •> 91 - W. Heather . 93 log 1« 92 185 T. H. Lewis . . 97 103 13 187 I- E. Mair ... . 94 111 1K 9a? 1ST E. An del son .. 116 19 187 \V. B. Colbeck. <r» 97 s*-r *lT - IS i E. Turner . 98 107 12 SfcT* SKS E. W. Parton. . 101 113 14 * 2 M» C. R. Pollen . . ICO 104 12 201 J. S. Rutherford 112 115 -2"* 93 205